Tender outboard

[RayB]

Just bought a 2.2m rib to hang on the back and was looking for recomendations on an outboard to push it along. It is rated for up to a 4hp but I want to keep the weight realistic. I have been told that 4hp weigh around 25kg whilst 2 & 3 hp are around 12kg. Therefore I am thinking along the line of the 3.3hp Mariner at the mo. Do I need to go this big and what kind of performance would I get???

PS not bothered about 4 stroke or 2 stroke, reliability, performance and weight are important to me.

Help appreciated.


"Hopefully that won't be too expensive to fix?"

 

[davidwf]

A 2hp will be more than enough to push you along so your choice of the mariner sounds good. I use a Suzuki 2hp on a 2m inflatable and was more concerned about weight than power.

 

[Guest]

I like my Honda 2hp 4 stroke. It has more than enough power to push along the Suzumar 265 dinghy and is air cooled so no future impeller/cooling probs.

Regards,

Peter
http://www.mistressofmourne.com

 

[Guest]

Agree with that: I've just changed from 2 stroke Evinrude to 4 stroke Honda: wonderful: no oily residues everywhere, the Honda is easy to lift on and off and as said there is no problem with water cooling. One competitive dealer warned me that you have to be careful how you lay a Honda down (sump oil leakage) but he quietened down when I reminded him that you have to watch how you lay a water cooled outboard down. 2-shay what!!!

 

[escape]

I went for the Honda 2hp on my Zodiac 2.4m.
Ive read on other posts that its heavy but cant say I've noticed.
I'd also like to say I went with the 4 stroke for ecological reasons ..but can't,the plug never fouls , it always starts,I dont have to mix fuel and it dos'nt smell.
Its not as fast as my old Yamaha malta which could get me on the plane with just me aboard! but that grew legs and walked out of my garage one weekend.

 

[dickh]

I also have a 2hp Honda - the early model, and am pleased with it. The note about laying it down is erroneous - as long as you always lay it down on the lugs provide(as told to in the handbook) you wont have any problem. As mine is the early model it has a watercooled exhaust, and I make sure I always run it in my waterbutt at home before putting it away. It is in fact almost too powerful for my 8' dinghy & I do find it awkward to lift up to the bracket on the rear rail on the boat for storage. To get it to start easily you have to let it sit on the transom with fuel tap open for a minute before attempting starting - then it usually starts 1st or 2nd pull. But not as easy to start as a 2 stroke - Lesley cannot start it - not enough 'pull' and not fast enough.

dickh
I'd rather be sailing...

 

[Mike_02]

Take a look at the tohatsu 3.5.
I have got one and it's great. Almost the same weight as the 2.5.

And what's best is that Tohatsu make the engines and drives for mariner and a few others...if you don't believe me go and take look and see that they are all the same design legs. Oh and they are a lot cheaper. About £360 from new

 

[NigelAmes]

Just a frightening thought but how about a small British Seagull?
Noisy? - Yes
Smelly? - Yes
Slow? Yes

BUT, ever so reliable and very willing to put up with long periods of idleness and yet still run.